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Law
The Law and the Shooting of Alex Pretti
If the officers who shot him had a reasonable fear that he was armed, it may not matter in court that his gun had already been seized.
Jed Rubenfeld
Sanctuary Cities Are Built on Shaky Law
Federal law makes it a crime to “encourage” illegal immigration, which is exactly what Tim Walz and Jacob Frey are doing.
Richard Lawson
Will the Supreme Court Save the Fed from Trump?
The justices seem to think almost every appointee can be fired by the president—except for members of the central bank.
Jed Rubenfeld
What Gambling Has Done to Sports—and to Us
Legalized sports betting has unleashed a wave of addiction, harassment, death threats against players, and moral rot.
Danny Funt
Trump Declares a Legal War on Sanctuary Cities
Reports say the Justice Department is investigating Tim Walz and Jacob Frey for obstructing ICE. The Constitution says they’re within their rights.
Jed Rubenfeld
Boys in Girls’ Sports Is a Loser in Court
The Supreme Court will likely let states bar trans athletes from public-school teams, though a few questions still loom.
Jed Rubenfeld
I Escaped Sex Trafficking. Now Politicians Are Targeting the Resource That Saved Me.
I had nowhere to run until a pregnancy center took me in. A coming Supreme Court ruling could end a campaign to shut them down.
Jean Marie Davis
Insanity Is Hard to Prove. Here’s How Nick Reiner Could Do It.
Juries rarely acquit for insanity. But California makes it easier by accounting for defendants’ view of right and wrong.
Jed Rubenfeld
Grok Is Making Porn from People’s Pictures
A new feature on Elon Musk’s X means anyone can digitally undress a picture of you. That’s illegal. So why is no one getting punished?
River Page
Matt Taibbi: To Protect Free Speech, I’m Suing the Man Who Defamed Me
There’s a difference between censorship, which prevents speech, and seeking restitution for a harmful lie already in print.
Matt Taibbi
Was Trump’s Venezuela Attack Legal?
There’s a direct precedent for arresting Maduro, and courts have repeatedly upheld the president’s powers.
Jed Rubenfeld
The Free Press Heroes of 2025
Heroes emerge even—or especially—in times of great darkness. Here are a few of the people we’re thankful for as we end the year.
The Editors
For Free People.
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